Latest news with #WildlifeAct
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Australian man faces 20 charges after alleged events in quiet holiday town
After an extensive investigation into the deaths of wild animals in a quiet Australian seaside town, a man is facing 20 charges. It's understood they relate to an alleged incident in February when residents of Venus Bay discovered the bodies of up to nine wombats. Police and Victoria's Conservation Regulator began investigating the deaths during the summer and announced a South Gippsland man had been charged today under the Wildlife Act and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. They will allege the deaths represent 'a senseless and deliberate act of animal cruelty'. Located on the Bass Coast, the ordinarily quiet village is a world away from nearby bustling Inverloch and Phillip Island, where the population swells from around 14,000 to 40,000 over the summer. Because it hasn't been developed like neighbouring suburbs, it's known for its wildlife, and ahead of the summer, residents placed homemade wombat warning signs in their front yards, asking tourists to slow down. How do I respond if I witness wildlife crime? Under Victoria's Wildlife Act, it is illegal to kill or harm wildlife without a permit. Conservation Regulator chief Kate Gavens said her agency, which sits within the Department of Environment (DEECA) takes wildlife crime 'seriously'. 'Wildlife cruelty is unacceptable. [The] Conservation Regulator will investigate and seek prosecution for serious cases of wildlife cruelty,' she said. New $48 million national park announced to save iconic Aussie animals Wild photo shows hidden danger in mud Amazing footage shows native 1kg predator killing rats Anyone with information about wildlife crime is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Reports can be made anonymously. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Irish Times
16 hours ago
- Irish Times
‘Rooks can drive people mad,' judge says as prosecution taken over tree felling
'Rooks can drive people mad,' a judge said after being told a prosecution is being taken over the alleged felling of a tree that contained 'many' nests, eggs and chicks. At Gort District Court , three Galway men are being prosecuted by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the Wildlife Act in connection with the alleged injuring and disturbing of rooks. Asked by Judge Alec Gabbett if the case involves someone shooting at rooks, counsel for the department, Michael Clancy BL, replied 'no'. Mr Clancy said the allegation was that a tree was felled that contained a rookery with 'many nests, many eggs and many chicks'. READ MORE Judge Gabbett said: 'There might well be an excuse for these things; rooks can drive people mad or the tree may have been needed to be taken down'. Joseph Kelly, of Circular Rd, Gort, Patrick Hogan, of Cahermore, Kinvara and Donagh Hogan, of Cahermore, Kinvara, are all facing summons concerning the alleged injuring of birds and destroying eggs. All three are contesting the allegations and Judge Gabbett has adjourned the cases to October for hearing. All summons are under the Wildlife Act 1976.
CBC
18 hours ago
- CBC
Yukon judge finds outfitter not guilty of wasting meat — because he ate it
A Yukon judge has found an outfitter not guilty of wasting big game meat, because he ate a portion of the meat. Aaron Florian, a hunting guide and the owner of Yukon Stone Outfitters, was charged with wasting big game meat in 2022 under the Wildlife Act. Judge Kathleen Caldwell issued her decision in Yukon territorial court in Whitehorse on July 21. Conservation officers seized more than 500 pounds of moose meat from Florian's refrigerated trailer in October 2022, after a guided hunt along the South Canol. Conservation officers said the meat inside the trailer was slimy and smelled sour. Expert testimony from a veterinarian also said the meat was spoiled. The trailer was malfunctioning and the meat didn't freeze thoroughly, Florian testified. He found out later that the trailer, called a reefer, had been wired incorrectly and was defective when he bought it for that season. It has since been fixed. Florian testified he felt bad about the meat's condition and he would have kept it for personal use — instead of donating it — if conservation officers hadn't seized it. He said a vinegar bath and trimming would deal with the slime. After obtaining a court order, some of the seized meat had been returned to Florian. He testified that he made a number of dishes for himself and friends, including a pot roast, sausages and carpaccio. Florian and a friend both testified that the meat tasted fine and didn't make anyone sick. In her decision, Caldwell said there's "surprisingly little legal precedent or guidance" to define meat spoilage in the Wildlife Act. "Mr. Florian claims that his intention is to consume the remaining meat if it is returned to him," Caldwell said in her decision. "Consumed meat is not wasted meat." Caldwell said her decision doesn't negate expert testimony which called the meat spoiled, but suggested that spoilage is subjective. "It is clear that the meat was not in the condition to be sold in any of Whitehorse's major grocery store chains," Caldwell said. Florian is still facing an additional charge of wasting meat in a similar time frame. That charge will go to trial on Sept. 8.
NDTV
16-07-2025
- General
- NDTV
6 Peacocks Die Of Electrocution In Madhya Pradesh Fields
Morena: Six peacocks died apparently after coming in contact with high-tension electricity lines in Madhya Pradesh's Morena district, an official said on Wednesday. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon in front of a temple at Sirmati village in the Dimni area. According to local residents, half a dozen peacocks were roaming in the open fields near the shrine when they came in contact with high-voltage transmission lines passing above. All the birds died on the spot, they said. The villagers also claimed that they tried to inform the electricity company and forest department officials, but nobody responded. The locals then made a video of the dead peacocks and shared it on social media. General Manager VS Dangi of the northern region electricity company said that it was the negligence of the officials that they did not pick up calls from the villagers. "I will take cognisance of this matter and initiate further action," he added. Last week, 11 peacocks were found dead near the fields in a forest area in the tribal-dominated Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh, officials had said. The peacock, the national bird of India, is included in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Act, which accords the species the highest level of protection.
Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Indian Express
Poachers' new target: 30 gharial hatchlings seized in MP, 3 held
The Madhya Pradesh forest department arrested three operators of an international wildlife trade syndicate and seized two consignments of rare aquatic species, including 30 gharial hatchlings, this weekend. This is the first seizure of a major consignment of gharials, a critically-endangered species. The consignments, said sources in MP forest department, were headed for Bangladesh, via Kolkata. Last evening, a team of MP Special Tiger Strike Force (STSF) intercepted a car on Sabalgarh–Morena road adjacent to the western boundary of the National Chambal Sanctuary and rescued a consignment of 30 gharial hatchlings and 14 red-crowned roofed turtles, another critically-endangered species. Three occupants of the car — Vijay and Ramveer from Gwalior, MP, and Raju from Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh — were arrested. Their interrogation led to a raid at Vijay's Gwalior residence this morning and a second consignment of three red-crowned roofed turtles and 19 critically-endangered three-striped roofed turtles was rescued. After medical examination, all 66 live specimens will be released in the Chambal river. A case has been filed under the Wildlife Act and all three accused, who have prior records of wildlife crime, will remain in forest remand for further interrogation. The seizure brings to light the active presence of international poaching syndicates in the National Chambal Sanctuary, the mainstay of gharials in India. Straddling three states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, this 425-km stretch of the Chambal river also harbours a number of other rare aquatic species high in demand in the international market.
